Mark WiedmerATLANTA – On top of the podium they’d rolled onto the field at the Georgia Dome, as confetti fell from the ceiling and all manner of ear-splitting music blasted from the monstrous sound system, Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank grinned and pranced and danced with anyone and everyone, supposedly trying out the jig his players have nicknamed “The Blank.”
Up in a luxury box, Chattanooga native and acclaimed actor Samuel L. Jackson swayed and laughed and held a “Rise Up” white towel to a video camera as Atlanta resident Lil Jon’s “Turn Down for What” threatened the hearing of everyone in the building.
Out on the field, the Falcons’ stunning 44-21 NFC championship victory over Green Bay complete early Sunday evening, their first Super Bowl ticket since 1998 officially punched, the opposing quarterbacks – Atlanta’s Matt Ryan and the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers – met on the 40-yard-line, shared a bear hug, then went their separate ways, perhaps in more ways than one.
For anyone still in need of a favorite memory of the Georgia Dome before they start tearing it down later this year, this outcome will surely suffice. The Falcons led 24-0 at halftime and 38-7 before the third quarter ended. Every replay, yellow flag and turnover seemed to go their way.
To that end, at least one personal foul against Atlanta for hitting Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers was reversed because he did not slide properly at the end of the run.